FreedomWorks

An Issue of Visibility

Trade in goods, services, and investment capital improves the quality of life for all people. Free trade drives the efficiency of the global economy and creates wealth. It is also an issue of freedom-- Americans should be able to buy and sell legal products without government interference.

Free trade benefits America, but there remains strong political opposition to our freedom. Companies that aren't competitive will seek protection from the government. Other opponents of trade are simply against capitalism.

The problem is that the benefits of trade are shared across the economy, but the benefits of protectionism are highly visible. For example, if an uncompetitive factory closes, we can see directly the unfortunate human and financial cost. Yet, at the same time, trade is elsewhere creating more new jobs in growing industries-- a process that isn't visible in the local newspapers.

Americans are the most productive and innovative people in the world. Yet, the United States has only 5% of the world's population. We cannot afford to close our borders to the world's markets and goods.